27 kids die of measles in Sindh: WHO

Islamabad, June 3 (IANS) At least 27 children under five years have died due to measles in Pakistan's Sindh province, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said.

The provincial health minister, however, denied having any knowledge about the deaths.

Iqbal Memon, president-elect of the Pakistan Pediatrics Association (PPA), said that a representative of the Disease Early Warning System (DEWS) under WHO Sindh presented a report to the provincial health department a few days back that the children had died of measles from January to May.

Sindh Health Minister Sagheer Ahmed denied having any such information, but said he would personally inquire into the matter, the News International reported.

He said all district health offices must create awareness about the disease and doctors should collect proper data and inform the officials.

Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has formed a committee to control measles.

The agencies involved in the committee include the Expended Program on Immunization (EPI), WHO, Unicef, PPA and the DEWS Sindh.

EPI in-charge Mazhar Khamisani said hundreds of patients have been diagnosed with suspected measles, and their samples have been sent to Islamabad for tests.